September 23, 2009
B.C. Supports Workers in Smithers Trail Maintenance

SMITHERS - Workers will benefit from more than $700,000 in funding to upgrade and maintain area trails that serve both summer and winter users, creating immediate employment through the Job Opportunities Program (JOP), announced John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes on behalf of Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development.

"The Province is taking action to create as many jobs as possible in the near future in order to help workers and their families through this time of economic upheaval," said Rustad. "Improvements that assist local organizations, while helping workers apply their skills now, means benefits that are both short and long term."

Funding to two local organizations creates a total of 26 jobs for unemployed resource workers. The Smithers Snowmobile Club received $315,746 to upgrade existing snowmobile trails and construct new trails, as well as repair and build cabins. The Bulkley Valley Backpackers Society received $408,480 for maintenance of existing trails and new trail development.

This is in addition to previously announced funding to the Smithers Mountain Bike Association, which provides work for six unemployed resource workers to assist in the development, upgrade and enhancement of mountain bike trails. Almost $200,000 in JOP funding is going towards maintenance of more than nine kilometres of trails, plus rehabilitation of approximately three kilometres of an old decommissioned road bed to create a new intermediate-level trail.

"This funding will make a substantial difference for local organizations, workers and their families who benefit from these jobs," said Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. "Extensive trail development and improvement projects for existing recreational infrastructure will reinforce these areas as valuable summer and winter tourist destinations and recreation resources."

"We are very proud of the opportunities for both work and play throughout the region," said Cress Farrow, member of the board of the Bulkley Nechako regional district. "Local organizations provide key services and make job opportunities possible, while upgrading some of our important recreation infrastructure for both residents and visitors to enjoy."

The Job Opportunities Program was first announced in May 2008 as one component of the federally-funded $129-million Community Development Trust. In July 2009, the provincial government committed an additional $30 million toward the program, which the federal government matched on a project-by-project basis through the Community Adjustment Fund.

The Province of British Columbia's contribution to the Job Opportunities Program is part of its commitment to provide stability for workers and communities, maintain the workforce during the economic downturn and help British Columbians gain new skills to be successful in the future.

For more information about the Job Opportunities Program, go to www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/.

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